Buoyant mattress for snorkeler

ABSTRACT

A buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler. An elongated buoyant mattress is provided for buoyantly supporting the body weight of a snorkeler positioned thereatop in a prone position. A viewing hole formed transversely entirely through the mattress and entirely open therethrough is adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of said mattress for receiving a face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler while the snorkeler is supported in water in the prone position atop the mattress. The viewing hole is unobstructed to water entering therein through the open lower end thereof which, in combination with the thickness and buoyancy of the mattress places the viewing lens of the face mask below the surface of the water within the hole, providing the snorkeler with an unobstructed underwater view through the face mask.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to accessories for swimmers and more particularly to a buoyant mattress for supporting a snorkeler in the prone position thereatop.

2. Description of Related Art

For those who enjoy swimming and water activities, exploring the area beneath the surface of the water greatly enhances a swimmer's experience. A snorkeler's face mask and snorkel for breathing at the surface of the water while being able to have an underwater view is one form of such enhanced swimmer's enjoyment. This provides the swimmer with the greatest viewing clarity of the underwater areas because the transparent viewing lens is placed in very close proximity to the eyes of the viewer which minimizes underwater sight distortion. Many of those who enjoy snorkeling using a face mask, however, may easily become fatigued, even in relaxed snorkeling without surface dives. Additionally, if the open end of the snorkel becomes inadvertently submerged or waves or splashes cause water to enter into the snorkel, the inexperienced swimmer may ingest seawater with obvious unpleasant consequences.

A number of prior art devices and apparatus have been patented which are intended to facilitate supporting the body weight of a swimmer in water while also providing an underwater view without the aid of a snorkel or mask. The following prior U.S. Patents disclose such devices:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,139 to Kelly     -   U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,399 to Backhouse     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,658 to New, et al.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,329 to Vaccaro     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,595 to Nealy     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,539 to Bender     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,417 to Warren     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,459 to Hammond     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,753 to Canela, et al.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,569 to Harkrider     -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,424 to Harkrider

U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,329 to Vaccaro discloses an air mattress with a recess for accommodating a person's head when lying on the mattress in a prone position. Harkrider teaches a buoyant craft for underwater observation in U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,569. Another invention by Harkrider discloses a personal swim craft with an underwater viewing area in U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,424. Canela, et al. teaches a floating device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,753 and underwater viewing devices are taught by Kelly in U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,139 and Backhouse in U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,399.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,658 to New, et al. teaches a buoyant board with a sight opening enabling underwater viewing and Nealy teaches a viewing device for a float in U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,595. Bender discloses an underwater viewing device (FIG. 6) in U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,539 and an underwater viewing paddle board is shown by Warren in U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,417.

However, with respect to all of the above prior art devices, a transparent viewing pane is sealingly disposed across the lower end of a viewing passageway or aperture. Because the transparent viewing plane is placed at a considerable distance from the eyes of the swimmer, distortion is likely as well as limiting the angle and direction of viewing afforded by such prior art features.

Additional prior art devices are remotely related to the present invention as follows:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,276 to Han     -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,055 to Hackett, et al.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,726 to Betts, et al.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,756 to Vaccaro

The present invention provides a relaxing body support for the swimmer while wearing a snorkel and mask adding the ability for enhanced underwater viewing by transverse hole through the buoyant support mattress so that the user may place the face mask into the viewing hole such that the viewing lens of the face mask is positioned below the level of the water as it rises up into the open lower end of the viewing hole while also causing the snorkel to be maintained in an above-water position to avoid water ingestion while being supported on the buoyant mattress.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler. An elongated buoyant mattress is provided for buoyantly supporting the body weight of a snorkeler positioned thereatop in a prone position. A viewing hole formed transversely entirely through the mattress and entirely open therethrough is adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of said mattress for receiving a face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler while the snorkeler is supported in water in the prone position atop the mattress. The viewing hole is unobstructed to water entering therein through the open lower end thereof which, in combination with the thickness and buoyancy of the mattress places the viewing lens of the face mask below the surface of the water within the hole, providing the snorkeler with an unobstructed underwater view through the face mask.

It is therefore an object of this invention to enhance the versatility and underwater viewing pleasure experienced by a snorkeler floating on the surface of water.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a supportive mattress for a snorkeler which reduces fatigue for extended periods of swimming while maintaining the underwater viewing pleasure of wearing a face mask and breathing through a snorkel.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a buoyant mattress for buoyantly supporting a snorkeler in the prone position thereatop and having an unobstructed viewing hole formed transversely entirely therethrough into which the face mask may be placed in underwater communication with the of water for enhanced underwater viewing and breathing comfort through the snorkel.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention floating on the surface of water and supporting a snorkeler in the prone position shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of another inflatable embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation partially broken view of FIG. 2 showing the head, face masks and snorkel of a snorkeler in phantom.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral 10 in FIG. 1 floating on the surface of a body of water and supporting a snorkeler A (shown in phantom) in the prone position atop the upper surface 18 of the buoyant mattress 12. A viewing hole 14 is formed transversely completely through the mattress 12 so that water may at least partially freely enter upwardly from the lower end of the viewing hole 14. The perimeter 16 of the viewing hole 14 is positioned adjacent to one end of the mattress 12 and centered laterally thereon in the preferred orientation.

The size of the opening 16 is sufficient to receive the downwardly oriented face and head H of the snorkeler A, including the face mask F and the lower mouthpiece end of the snorkel S. Moreover, as seen in FIG. 4, the transparent viewing lens L of the face mask F is thereby positioned in all embodiments below the waterline W while the upper end of the snorkel S is maintained in position sufficiently above the waterline W so as to reduce the likelihood of water entering into the open upper end of the snorkel causing the swimmer to ingest water.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the shape of the perimeter 14 of this embodiment of the viewing hole 16 is generally rectangular to permit the snorkeler A to move the head H laterally side to side for enhanced underwater viewing. Note that the length of the mattress 12 in this embodiment 10 is sufficient to support the lower legs and extended feet so that propulsion is achieved primarily by movement of arms and hands. However, the mattress 12 may be shortened substantially to allow a typical adult or child snorkeler to also paddle the feet and legs with or without swim fins being worn for further enhanced propulsion.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 4, another embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral 20. In this embodiment 20, the mattress 22 is the inflatable type and is formed of side-by-side elongated air chambers 28 formed by internal partitions 30 and inflated through an air valve (not shown). Flexible side handles 32 may be used for attaching other articles thereto.

This embodiment of the mattress 22 also includes a viewing hole 26 formed having a circular perimeter 24 entirely transversely through the thickness of the mattress 22. Positioning of the viewing hole 26 is adjacent one end of the mattress 22 and is centered laterally for optimal positioning with respect to a face mask F and a snorkel S worn by the snorkeler A. Again, as seen in FIG. 4, the head H of the snorkeler A may be positioned fully within the viewing opening 26 so that the lens L of the face mask F is positioned below the waterline W while the upper end of the snorkel S is positioned well above the waterline to avoid inadvertent water ingestion into the open end of the snorkel.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral 40 and formed of molded closed cell foam material such as skinned polyurethane foam to achieve body-supporting buoyancy. The mattress 42 is formed including a viewing hole 46 formed entirely transversely through the mattress 42 as defined by viewing perimeter 44 which is, again, circular and positioned adjacent one end of the mattress 42. The volume of foam and the thickness thereof are determined such that the typical child-sized or adult-sized snorkeler will be positioned with the lens L of the face mask F beneath the surface of the water W for enhanced underwater viewing, restfulness while being supported in the prone position atop the device 40 and assuring comfort that splashes or waves of water will not inadvertently enter into the open upper end of the snorkel S which could possibly lead to water ingestion by the snorkeler A.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles. 

1. A buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler comprising: an elongated buoyant mattress for supporting a snorkeler positioned thereatop in a prone position; a substantially open viewing hole formed through said mattress, said viewing hole sized and positioned adjacent to one end of said mattress for receiving a face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler while the snorkeler is supported in water in the prone position atop said mattress; said viewing hole unobstructed to water entering therein through a lower end thereof and said mattress having a thickness and buoyancy which causes the face mask to be below the surface of the water within the hole whereby the snorkeler has an unobstructed underwater view into the water through the face mask.
 2. A buoyant snorkeler's mattress device comprising: an elongated buoyant air-filled mattress for supporting a snorkeler wearing a face mask and snorkel and positioned atop said mattress in a prone position, the face mask having a transparent viewing lens; a viewing hole formed through said mattress, said viewing hole adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of said mattress for receiving the face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler and positioned within the viewing hole while the snorkeler is supported in water in the prone position atop said mattress; said viewing hole unobstructed to water entering therein and said mattress having a thickness and buoyancy to cause the viewing lens of the face mask to be below the surface of the water within the hole providing the snorkeler with an unobstructed underwater view.
 3. A buoyant mattress device for a snorkeler comprising: an elongated buoyant molded foam mattress for supporting a snorkeler positioned thereatop in a prone position; an unobstructed open ended viewing hole formed transversely through said mattress, said viewing hole adapted in size and position adjacent to one end of said mattress for receiving the user's face and a face mask and snorkel worn by the snorkeler while the snorkeler is supported in the prone position atop said mattress floating in water; said viewing hole unobstructed to water entering therein and said mattress having a thickness and buoyancy which causes the face mask to be below the surface of the water within the hole whereby the snorkeler has an unobstructed underwater view and the upper end of the snorkel is positioned substantially above the waterline. 